Pine Rivers Private Hospital offers a variety of Group Therapy Day Programs for patients aged 18 and older, addressing a wide range of psychiatric conditions.

These programs are evidence-based and led by qualified, highly experienced mental health professionals.

They focus on psychoeducation, the development of adaptive coping strategies, and provide consistent support and structure throughout the week. The Group Day Programs play a crucial role in supporting patients' recovery by:

  • Managing transition following hospitalisation
  • Accessing outpatient support during periods of increased distress or crisis
  • Engaging in ongoing therapy to enhance well-being, improve functioning and facilitate personal growth
  • Reduce the need for further hospitalisations

A referral from a GP to a Pine Rivers Private Psychiatrist is required to access all group programs. To help ensure patients are booked into the appropriate groups promptly, please request a referral specifically for a Pine Rivers Day Program Group.


How to access program

To access our programs, a referral from your GP or community-based psychiatrist is required to a Pine Rivers Private Hospital-accredited psychiatrist (please refer to our website for a list of psychiatrists who can directly admit patients). A clinician will then conduct an assessment to determine which program(s) best suit your needs.

Ongoing participation in programs requires regular appointments (at least every three months) with your Pine Rivers Private Hospital-accredited psychiatrist.

We offer several funding options, including Private Health Insurance, WorkCover, DVA, ADF, NDIS, Third Party Insurers, and Self-Funding. Our administration team can assist in confirming whether you are eligible for funding for both onsite and virtual classes.

Please note, some health funds may only cover participation in full-day programs virtually. For more information, or to verify if your Private Health Fund supports virtual programs, please contact our friendly admin team at 07 3881 7291 or email Prv.Enquiries@healthscope.com.au.


Virtual access to programs

Some of our programs are available through a virtual capability, which enables those who are unable to attend the day programs onsite in-person, to access the program by using a secure platform from home or wherever they may be.

For more information on our Virtual access click Virtual Day Programs :: Pine Rivers Private Hospital


Prior to your session

Onsite Participants

  • Aim to arrive 15-20 minutes prior to the start of your session so you can find a car park
  • Present to the front desk who will check you in and advise you where to go and give you a visitor badge
  • Please dress comfortably and appropriately for the activities you will involved with, this could be wearing clothes that may get paint on them, shoes for walking or a jumper if you get cold in air conditioning
  • Consider self-care after the session has ended for the day. Try to make sure you do not have to rush away to attend to other responsibilities, instead taking 5-10 mins for a break. Perhaps make yourself a cup of tea, or do something you enjoy for a few moments, taking some time out to refresh!

Virtual Participants

  • You will need internet access to join the Teams link (sent to you via email) on computer, iPad or phone
  • Connect into the Zoom link 15 mins before the start of the session to avoid connectivity problems & have time to fix them if you do
  • Your session times are your “space”. Being prepared is an important part of therapy. Ensuring that you are comfortable, dressed appropriately and have a safe and private space to work from is important.
  • Please maintain privacy, ensuring you are able to remain alone for the entirety of the session, without interruptions from family, friends or others. Group
  • Confidentiality is to be maintained at all times by taking appropriate measures to ensure it remains in place.
  • Consider self-care after the session has ended for the day. Try to make sure you do not have to rush away to attend to other responsibilities, instead taking 5-10 mins for a break. Perhaps make yourself a cup of tea, or do something you enjoy for a few moments, taking some time out to refresh!

2025 Program

Open groups

Programs are available to join at any time.

The program is suitable for individuals working toward, or maintaining, abstinence from addictive behaviours.

Content: The program draws from a variety of approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance& Commitment Therapy and Positive Psychology.


The group program aims to:

  • Provide peer and professional support to maintain sobriety and recovery.
  • Enhance understanding of the dependency syndrome and recovery process.
  • Develop adaptive coping skills to manage the physical, psychological and social difficulties specific to addiction.
  • Equip participants with adaptive skills to achieve a meaningful and enjoyable recovery.

When:

The program runs for 12 weeks on Thursdays, 9:00am - 2:45pm.

The program is an open group, accordingly patients can commence at any time within the 12 week cycle, numbers permitting.

The program is suitable for individuals with a broad range of mental health concerns or addictions.

Content:

  • Creating Wellbeing provides opportunities for individuals to participate in creative activities which promote:
  • Personal growth and fulfilment
  • Improved ability to manage emotions and tolerate distress
  • Enhanced self-esteem.
Additionally the Creating Wellbeing Program will incorporate aspects of a range of evidence-based therapies, including Features of Positive Psychology, which promotes the importance of gratitude, engaging in pleasurable activities and contributing to others in a meaningful way.


The program will also explore a range of distress tolerance strategies such as those taught in Dialectical Behavior Therapy.

Activities are designed to support, challenge and enhance the psychological, social, emotional and physical well-being of individuals.

Through participation in this program, it is anticipated that individuals will be better able to focus on positives, become more grateful, use reflective tools, learn adaptive coping strategies and discover a range of self-calming techniques.


When:
The program runs weekly on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9:00am - 2:45pm.

Participants may attend as often as required. We welcome referrals to the Creating Wellbeing Day Program.

A referral for all Day Programs is required from an accredited Psychiatrist to Pine Rivers Private Hospital.

This program is suitable for individuals with a broad range of mental health concerns or addiction. The open and flexible nature of the program enables participants to choose how regularly and for how long they would like to attend. LWP is general day program, designed to provide regular support, structure and learning opportunities to participants for as long as required, whether that be to support the transition from inpatient to outpatient services, whilst waiting for availability of a specialist Program, or ongoing.

The program includes:
  • Support Therapy: a space for participants to explore current concerns whilst gaining support from both facilitators and co-patients.
  • Psychoeducation regarding a wide range of mental health issues.

When:
The program runs twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays from 9:00am – 2:45pm. Participants may attend for as many weeks as needed.

The program is suitable for adults with Mood or Anxiety Disorders.

Content:
In a group setting, participants will predominantly explore the concepts of Positive Psychology, an approach that supports individuals to improve well-being and flourish. Core features of Positive Psychology include:

  • Positive Emotion: Exploring ways to create and enhance positive experience.
  • Engagement: Connecting with and being absorbed by the task at hand utilising strengths.
  • Relationships: Building and nurturing positive relationships.
  • Meaning: Belonging to and serving something bigger than the self.
  • Accomplishment: Achieving in life.

When:

The program runs for 12 weeks on each Monday 9:00am - 2:45pm. Attendance is required one day per week.


The program is an open group, accordingly patients can commence at any time within the 12 week cycle, numbers permitting.

Closed Groups

Programs have dedicated start dates for participants to join.

This program is suitable for adults with a range of mental health concerns.

Content:
Participants will take part in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in a group setting, in which they will be assisted in:

  • Developing Mindfulness Skills, that is, learning to focus one’s attention on the present moment without judgment.
  • Developing a sense of acceptance of one’s experience, including emotions, thoughts, urges, self and external experience.
  • Enhancing psychological flexibility through learning cognitive defusion techniques to alter the way in which one relates to their thoughts, thereby reducing the impact of unhelpful cognitive processes.
  • Identifying personal values and connecting with what’s really important.
  • Becoming committed to behaving in a way that is aligned with one’s values, in order to live a full, rich and meaningful life.

When:

The program runs for 12 weeks on Tuesdays 9:00 - 2:45pm.

Attendance is required one day per week.

The program is a closed group, with intake occurring four times per year.

CFR is suitable for adults experiencing a broad range of mental health concerns or past addiction.

Content:

CFR integrates compassion focussed methods from Dr Kristin Neff’s Mindful self-compassion program and Dr Pual Gilbert’s Compassion Focussed Therapy. The overarching foal of CFR is to address shame and self-criticism. CFR draws upon traditional Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Buddhist Psychology and Neuroscience.

Therapy goals include:

  • Understanding the relationship between compassion and mental health.
  • Understanding neuroplasticity and the benefits in changing one’s cognitive and behavioural experience.
  • Developing Mindfulness skills
  • Letting go of the inner critic
  • Addressing unhelpful thoughts via restructuring or defusion.
  • Reducing fear/anxiety-based avoidance.
  • Enhancing emotional regulation skills
When:

The program runs for 10weeks from 9:00am – 2:15pm. A GP referral is required to an accredited Psychiatrist of Pine Rivers Private Hospital.

Who:
This program is suitable for adults experiencing longstanding and chronic emotional difficulties. The program is relevant for adults experiencing traits of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or with a diagnosis of BPD.

Content:
The DBT Foundations program provides the foundation for the DBT Skills Training Day Program. DBT is a well established treatment designed to stabilise a range of symptoms, such as difficulty managing emotions, relationship difficulties and high levels of distress.


Within a group setting, the Foundations program explores:

  • ‘What is DBT?’, including the different components of skills training.
  • The biosocial theory of emotional vulnerability.
  • Symptoms of BPD.
  • Debunking myths re: BPD.
  • Cycle of Change and Goal Setting.
  • Adaptive Problem Solving techniques.
  • Ways to effectively address barriers to therapy.
When:
The program runs for 5 weeks on Friday from 9:00am – 2:45pm with a virtual option. Attendance is required weekly. The program is a closed group, with intake occurring three times per year. Participation is a pre-requisite for entry into the 12 month DBT Skills and Training Program.


Participation is a pre-requisite for entry into the 12 month DBT Skills Training Program.

Who:
This program is suitable for adults experiencing longstanding and chronic emotional difficulties. The program is relevant for adults experiencing traits of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or with a diagnosis of BPD, whom have completed the DBT Foundations Program.

Content:
DBT is a well-established treatment designed to address a range of concerns, such as difficulty managing emotions, relationship difficulties and high levels of distress.

Within a group setting, the Skills Training program teaches:

  • Core Mindfulness Skills - Learning to control the mind, to focus attention on present moment, increase self awareness, self acceptance and reduce emotional reactivity.
  • Emotion Regulation Skills - Learning to understand, identify and manage emotions effectively.
  • Distress Tolerance Skills - Learning to effectively cope with high levels of emotional distress, without making things worse.
  • Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills - Understanding barriers to effective communication and developing appropriate communication skills to enhance relationships.
When:
The program is a 12 month DBT Skills Training program involves three 14-week modules on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00am – 2:45pm. Attendance is required weekly.


The program is a closed group, with intake occurring three times per year.

Who:

The DBT Graduates program at PRPH is designed forindividuals with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) orEmotional Dysregulation, who have completed the DBT Skills Training program.

Content:
DBT Graduates program aims to consolidate and strengthen DBT skill acquisition, empowering participants to move beyond an intellectual understanding of the skills, to experiencing and integrating the skills in everyday life. Through the regular use of group discussions and mindful self -reflections, participants will be provided with opportunities to develop, enhance and share their understanding and application of DBT skills.

Therapy goals of the DBT Graduate Program include:

  • Consolidate, strengthen and reinforce DBT skills.
  • Increase capacity for productive self-reflection.
  • Broaden the understanding of DBT concepts.
  • Move beyond an intellectual understanding of the skills and move in greater experiential application of skills.
  • Expand repertoire of DBT skills—exploring and developing skills not covered within the DBT Skills Training Program.
  • Skill generalisation; Implement skills at the ground level, in everyday life.
When:

8 week module on Wednesdays 9.00am – 2.15pm.

This program is a closed group, with intake occurring five times per year. No Joining after commencement.

Day Program to treat and support patients with a diagnosis of Generalised Anxiety Disorder, or whom experience excessive worrying

Content:

The Managing Worry – GAD program is a 6 week Full Day Program using CBT. Each week a new CBT skill is taught, with experiential practice of the skills considered essential to ensure effective implementation with good effect.

Therapy goals include:

  • Understanding Generalised Anxiety Disorder and the impact of excessive worrying.
  • Conceptualising GAD within the CBT framework, specifically understanding the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
  • Developing relaxation skills enabling effective regulation of the nervous system.
  • Identifying maintaining factors of GAD.
  • Developing Cognitive Restructuring Skills.
  • Identifying unhelpful thinking patterns.
  • Building tolerance to uncertainty.
  • Creating, and participating in, behavioural experiments to effectively challenge unhelpful worries.
  • Troubleshooting behavioural experiments to enhance efficacy.
  • Developing effective decision-making.
  • Developing problem solving skills.
  • Exploring strategies for worry postponement to reduce frequency and duration of worrying.
  • Relapse Prevention.

When:

The program runs for 6 weeks on Friday from 9:00am – 2:15pm with a virtual option. Attendance is required one day per week.

The program is a closed group, with intake occurring four times per year.

Who:

This program offers a therapeutic group based program for individuals experiencing difficulties in executive functioning related to mental health concerns (e.g. mood disorders,

anxiety, past substance abuse, Attention Deficient, Hyper-activity Disorder (ADHD). Cognitive difficulties may include impaired memory, focus and attentional deficits, or other executive functioning difficulties.

Content:
This program, facilitated by a clinicalneuropsychologist, consists of a cognitive-behavioural therapeutic modeldeveloping skills of organisation, attention, and planning. Mindfulness BasedCognitive Therapy is also integrated to enhance awareness of thought andemotion, and skills to manage and regulate these components of experience.

Throughout the program patients will:

  • Enhance understanding of factors causing and maintaining cognitive difficulties.
  • Develop a broad range of time management techniques.
  • Understand the impact of mood on efficiency.
  • Identify unhelpful thought patterns and learn techniques to manage those effectively (cognitive restructuring or defusion).
  • Improve motivation.
  • Create adaptive reward systems.
  • Develop organisational skills.
  • Create and implement a personal project.
  • Improve social cognition and communication skills.
  • Plan for future growth.
When:

12 weeks, Half Day on Mondays, 9.00am – 12.15pm.

This program is a closed group, with intake occurring three times per year. No Joining after commencement.

Emergency Services and Corrections Workers (past or present) experiencing symptoms of PTSD.

Content:

Participation in this group-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy program provides access to both professional and peer support, enabling enhanced insight regarding the impact of trauma (biological, psychological and social) and normalization of the trauma response.
The program assists in the development of adaptive coping strategies, supports clinical stabilization and assists in re-engagement in valued functional activities.

Therapy Goals:

  • Psycho education re: symptoms, causes and neurobiology of PTSD.
  • Developing Mindfulness and Grounding Skills.
  • Developing Distress Tolerance Skills, e.g. Self- Soothing and Distraction.
  • Nightmare/ flashback management.
  • Reducing emotional vulnerability through physical self-care.
  • Understanding emotions.
  • Developing ways to manage emotional dysregulation effectively.
  • Understanding fight, flight, freeze response and the Window of Tolerance.
  • Enhancing Self-Compassion: addressing self-criticism and unrelenting high standards.
  • Identifying and managing unhelpful thoughts (Restructuring and Defusion).
  • Exploring safety, trust, power/ control, self-esteem & intimacy.
  • Behavioural Activation and Activity Scheduling.
  • Developing assertiveness skills.
  • Exposure Tasks.
  • Relapse prevention and wellness planning.

When:

The program runs for 10 weeks on Tuesday and Wednesdays from 9:00am – 2:15pm. Patients attend twice weekly.
The program is a closed group with intake occurring four times per year.
Follow-Up sessions are offered at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months post program completion to support long-term progress.

How to join:

A GP referral is required to an accredited Psychiatrist of Pine Rivers Private Hospital.

Further information:

Please contact the Admissions Hub or Allied Health Manager on 3881 7222.


This program is suitable for Members of the ADF/DVA experiencing symptoms of PTSD.

Content:

Participation in this group –based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy program provides access to both professional and peer support, enabling enhanced insight regarding the impact of trauma (biological, psychological and social) and normalisation of the trauma response. The program assists in the development of adaptive coping strategies, supports clinical stabilisation and assists in re-engagement in valued functional activities.

Therapy goals of the PTSD000 program include:

  • Psycho-education re: symptoms,
  • causes and neurobiology of PTSD.
  • Developing Mindfulness and Grounding Skills
  • Developing Distress Tolerance Skills, e.g. Self- Soothing and Distraction.
  • Nightmare/ flashback management.
  • Reducing emotional vulnerability.
  • Understanding emotions.
  • Developing ways to manage emotional dysregulation effectively.
  • Understanding fight, flight, freeze response and the Window of Tolerance.
  • Enhancing Self-Compassion: addressing self-criticism and unrelenting high standards.
  • Identifying and managing unhelpful thoughts (via Restructuring and Defusion).
  • Exploring safety, trust, power/ control, self-esteem & intimacy.
  • Behavioural Activation and Activity Scheduling.
  • Developing assertiveness skills.
  • Relapse prevention and wellness planning.

When:
The program runs for 10 weeks on Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00am – 2:15pm. Patients attend twice weekly.

The program is a closed group with intake occurring four times per year. Three additional Follow-Up sessions are offered at 2 monthly intervals post completion of the 10 week program.

A GP referral is required to an accredited Psychiatrist of Pine Rivers Private Hospital.

Schema Therapy for Depression: Rewriting Your Story

This program is suited to individuals diagnosed with Depressive Disorders, such as Major Depression or Persistent Depression.

Content:

Schema Therapy is a well-established evidence –based treatment for Depression. Whilst predominantly Schema Therapy based, the program also draws from Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy techniques to ensure a comprehensive approach.

In a group therapy setting, patients will:

  • Develop an understanding of Depressive Disorders.
  • Identify lifestyle factors that may contribute to the development and maintenance of depressive symptoms.
  • Address lifestyle factors to reduce vulnerability.
  • Understand how to apply behavioral activation to reduce negative experience and increase positive experience and emotion.
  • Identify unhelpful thinking styles, and develop strategies to reduce distress associated with unhelpful thoughts.
  • Develop Mindfulness skills; be more present, let go of rumination or worrying.
  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of maladaptive schemas, identifying those relevant to personal experience and they impact on own thoughts, feelings and behaviour.
  • Learn to combat and replace maladaptive thoughts and coping modes.
  • Develop self-compassion and build a ‘healthy self’.
  • Develop relaxation and self-soothing skills.

Program Length and Times:

The program runs for 12 weeks on Thursday from 9:00am – 2:45pm.

Attendance is required once weekly.

The program is a closed group with intake occurring four times per year.

Who is the Program for?

Individuals who have experienced past or recent trauma/s.

Program Content:

The program is derived from a range of evidence-based therapies, in particular Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness practices. Given the group therapy format, exposure therapy is not incorporated. Instead, the focus is on the development of adaptive coping strategies to enhance ability to effectively manage the impact of trauma.

Within a group setting, participants will be supported to:

  • Understand trauma & the impact of trauma on body, mind & social functioning.
  • Understand safety & identify ways in which to create it.
  • Enhance self-care & reduce emotional vulnerability.
  • Develop adaptive behavioural coping skills to manage the symptoms of trauma, including:
    • Emotion Regulation Skills., including relaxation skills
    • Self-Soothing Strategies, including grounding and Mindfulness.
  • Understand the link between thoughts, feelings and behavior, and learn strategies to manage unhelpful thoughts and maladaptive core beliefs.
  • Address avoidance behaviours.
  • Develop skills to manage flashbacks, memories and dreams.
  • Develop self compassion.
  • Create safe boundaries and assertion skills.
  • Manage shame, guilt and loss.
  • Attain post-traumatic growth.

When

The program runs for 12 weeks on Wednesdays from 9:00am-2:45pm. The program is a closed group with intake occuring four times per year.

Day programs pic.PNG

Day Programs 2025 Booklet

Our Assistance

... ... ... ...